The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: julceyyxd
Date: 2012-11-03 20:09
I just got a new r13 maybe 3-4 months ago, and I have noticed that the wood is significantly lighter. It's no longer stained black, but prominently brown. Especially when I put my mouthpiece on it, the different between the black of my mouthpiece and the clarinet is shocking.
I don't think this is an issue, do you? My main concern is that I am doing something to make it lighten so much, and will eventually end up harming the wood.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-11-03 23:50
The natural colour of blackwood varies widely between very dark, almost black to quite a light brown, that's why manufacturers stain it to try and hide the differences (or on their top lines carefully select and match the unstained wood of all joints to be as similar as possible).
Sounds like the stain on your wood didn't take fully and is wearing due to friction.
I don't think this is anything to worry about.
Try rubbing the exterior wood with a good bore oil or even linseed oil, this will help darken the natural colour.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-04 02:06
I'd prefer to see the natural colour or varied colours of grenadilla in an instrument than one stained or black lacquered to make it look all uniform. That way you can see there's nothing being hidden whereas staining and lacquering can cover a multitude of sins.
The stain Buffet use on their clarinets from the E13 up to the R13 and RC is alcohol based and is very deep purple, so a wipe over with a rag soaked in methylated spirits or isopropyl will remove some of it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2012-11-07 21:54
Ah, that explains why the top tenons on the upper joints of my R13s are purple (moreso the Bb than the A). I heard somewhere (don't remember where), that it was possibly an indication of the wood drying out. Since there are no structural problems or cracks, I just go with it.
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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